Surprising Toxic Foods for Your Pets

Certain human foods are not safe for pet consumption because they can cause moderate to severe reactions. Symptoms of toxic food ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Toxic Foods for Pets

Many pet owners know that they should never feed their pet’s chocolate or caffeine. However, there are other foods that you should keep out of reach of your furry family members, including grapes, raisins, onions, raw meat and anything containing artificial sugar.

Artificial Sugars

Artificial sugars, especially Xylitol, are toxic to cats and dogs. Accidental ingestion can cause a dramatic reduction in your pet’s blood sugar levels. When this happens your pet may vomit and appear lethargic. Severe artificial sugar poisoning may cause seizures and death.

Grapes

You should not allow your dog or cat to eat anything that contains grapes or raisins. These foods are known to cause kidney failure if eaten in large quantities. Adverse health effects are worse in pets that already have chronic illnesses.

Onions

Onions, chives and garlic should be kept out of reach of your pets. Accidental ingestion can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and damage to his or her red blood cells.

Raw Meat

Domesticated pets should not be given raw meat because it may contain salmonella or E. coli. Both of these bacteria have the potential to make your pet very sick. Bones should not be given to your pet because they may splinter and cause damage to your pet’s stomach and intestines.

Toxic Food Veterinary Care at Trinity Pet Hospital

If you suspect your pet has eaten a potentially dangerous food, call our Laguna Hills veterinary hospital at 949-768-1314 for further care instructions. Before you call, try to determine what your pet ate, how long ago he or she ate it and how much of it was eaten. This knowledge will help our veterinarian make a decision on the best course of treatment for your beloved pet.

What foods do you keep out of reach of your pets?